Description

As requested this gitlab issue continues this forum thread: https://forum.kicad.info/t/multi-channel-im-getting-a-topology-mismatch-status-when-attempting-to-repeat-layout/58795

The example project is a design with 3 subsheets, all pointing to the same *.kicad_sch file. So all subsheets should contain the same equal drawing. This should be good enough as condition for the multichannel tool.

Nevertheless the command "repeat layout" presents the error message "topology mismatch" and consequently does not copy/place any footprints for the paralle channels.

note: the example project was a little bit simplified (compared to example file in the forum).

After some investigation the issue is the numbering of the reference designators. The multichannel algorithm has problems with separated numbers like the trimpots numbered as TRIM_1.1 / TRIM_2.3 / ... / TRIM_6.3

After renaming these trimpots to "TRIM_11 ... TRIM_63" the repeat layout algorithm is working.

Steps to reproduce

1. open attached project: mu2.zip
2. open board, there are already 3 separated areas with the footprints from subsheet 2BF, 2BF1, 2BF2
3. I have already generated rule areas (Tools-->multichannel-->generate placement rule areas)
4. select topmost rule area (around R1-R20)
5. run Tools-->multichannel-->repeat layout
6. get multichannel dialog, showing message "topology mismatch".
7. depending on your mood: get sad or angry

KiCad Version

Application: KiCad PCB Editor x64 on x64

Version: 9.0.0-67-gb135491d35, release build

Libraries:
	wxWidgets 3.2.6
	FreeType 2.13.3
	HarfBuzz 10.2.0
	FontConfig 2.15.0

Platform: Windows 10 (build 19045), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
OpenGL: Intel, Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics, 4.6.0 - Build 30.0.100.9837

	wxWidgets: 3.2.6 (wchar_t,wx containers)
	Boost: 1.86.0
	OCC: 7.8.1
	Curl: 8.11.1-DEV
	ngspice: 44
	Compiler: Visual C++ 1942 without C++ ABI
	KICAD_IPC_API=ON

Locale: 
	Lang: en_GB
	Enc: UTF-8
	Num: 1,234.5
	Encoded кΩ丈: D0BACEA9E4B888 (sys), D0BACEA9E4B888 (utf8)